New snow is still the big news for today. The News Years eve storm produced an active avalanche cycle with natural avalanches during the peak of the wind and precipitation. We are now on the decreasing trend of that spike in avalanche danger, but caution is still warranted.

Avalanches were sometimes breaking in the old deeper layers, stripping out to crusts and facets from early season. Other times they were isolated to the wind-blown storm snow, which was 2+ feet in drifted areas.

The challenge today is trying to predict how quickly our snowpack is adjusting and stabilizing to the new load. Today will be more stable than yesterday, but some problems will be lurking...

A MODERATE avalanche danger will be found today, with steeper wind loaded slopes as the primary concern.

Primary Concern

A lot of that storm snow from Dec 31st and Jan 1st came in with substantial wind. Early in the storm we had several hours of gusts to 90mph or greater on Sunburst. This means the storm snow is unevenly distributed, and the major problem lies in areas where the snow got drifted rather than scoured by the wind.

Around Turnagain Pass the predominant wind direction was from the East. West slopes and crossloaded North and South are the primary concern.

When venturing into untracked snow yesterday we noticed a number of collapses (whumphing). Deep shooting cracks were also evident. These collapses are almost certainly happening in older weak layers, in the snow that fell in November or December. The larger avalanches that happened yesterday had the greater volume because they are stripping deeper into the snowpack. Deeper and more destructive avalanches will be less likely today, but present a greater concern to the backcountry traveler if one is triggered.

Any collapsing felt today is a significant message and should be telling you to stay off nearby steep slopes.

Mountain Weather

The last 24 hours have brought calmer weather. Precipitation decreased significantly, but at least 3 inches of snow fell in the last 24 hours. Wind has steadily dropped from strong yesterday to mild this morning. Temperatures have also consistently decreased by a couple of degrees.

Mostly cloudy skies and snow showers are expected today. Minimal snow accumulation. Freezing rain is possible at the road elevation. Look for light wind and steady temperatures in the 20s.

This is a general backcountry avalanche advisory issued for Turnagain Arm with Turnagain Pass as the core advisory area (this advisory does not apply to highways, railroads, or operating ski areas).

Riding status is not associated with avalanche danger. An area will be open to motorized use in accordance to the Forest Management Plan when snow coverage is adequate to protect underlying vegetation. Backcountry hazards including avalanche hazard are always present regardless of the open status of motorized use areas.

(Updated: May 16, 2017 )

AREA

STATUS

WEATHER AND RIDING CONDITIONS

Glacier District

Johnson Pass:

Closed

Placer River:

Closed

Skookum Drainage:

Closed

Turnagain Pass:

Closed

Thanks all for a safe and fun season on the Chugach NF! Stay tuned for the 2017/18 season. #playsafe #snowtosealevel

Twentymile:

Closed

Seward District

Carter Lake:

Closed

Lost Lake Trail:

Closed

Primrose Trail:

Closed

Resurrection Pass Trail:

Closed

Resurrection Pass trail will be open to snowmachine use during the 2017/18 winter season.

Snug Harbor:

Closed

South Fork Snow River Corridor:

Closed

Summit Lake:

Closed

Subscribe to the Turnagain Area Avalanche Advisory:

The information in this advisory is from the U.S. Forest Service, which is solely responsible for its content. This advisory describes general avalanche conditions and local variations always occur.
This advisory provided by the Chugach National Forest, in partnership with Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center.